Markus, Buju's first attorney, focused much of his effort on tearing down the credibility of the government's only witness, Alex Johnson, a felon with financial incentives to get Buju arrested. Markus also argued that Buju was entrapped and that the case was plagued by prosecutorial vindictiveness.

Lumumba is sure to bring a different dynamic to the courtroom. A civil rights activist and community organizer for four decades, Lumumba is based in Mississippi. He's also on the City Council of Jackson, Mississippi.

In the past, Lumumba has worked on cases involving Tupac Shakur, Black Panther Assata Shakur (a step-aunt to Tupac), and Lance Parker, a black man accused of assaulting a white truck driver during the 1992 Rodney King riots in L.A.

A resentencing in Buju's case is slated for October 30. The judge will have to decide whether to add an additional five years to Buju's already decadelong sentence after an Atlanta appeal's court said there was enough evidence for the gun count.

Judge Moody, the trial judge, originally tossed the gun charge but reinstated after the appeal's court said the government's argument that guns and drugs go together was enough for the conviction.

Lumumba may file a motion to seek a resentencing on all charges, not just the gun charge.